In this course, students will read a selection of plays by ancient Greek playrights: the comedies of Aristophanes and the tragedies of Aeschylus, Euripides, and Sophocles. For a semester project, students will work as a collaborative team to write and perform a dramatic work (along with related documents) to demonstrate their understanding of the genre, period, and culture.Prerequisite(s): First Year Writing and Junior Standing.

HIST 3220 The Ancient World (4 hours)

An examination of the politial, social, and intellectual worlds of ancient Greece and Rome. The purpose of the course is to introduce students to the seminal contributions of antiquity to the Western tradition. The course will concentrate on the setting and content of Greek culture from the age of Homer to the rise of the Macedonian Empire, and the development of Rome from city republic to empire.Prerequisite(s): HIST 2120 Western Civilization Through Religion to 1648.

THTRE 1020 Script Analysis (3 hours)

This is a fundamental course in the systematic analysis of dramatic texts. It is designed to equip theatre arts majors and minors with the textual expertise and vocabulary needed for academic discussion and artistic collaboration. Students will read and research a series of scripts in order to investigate the process in which a play develops from page to performance. Emphasis will also be given to how directors, designers, performers, and spectators individually and collaboratively engage with and utilize a dramatic text during each phase of the pre-rehearsal, rehearsal, and performance process.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

THTRE 1300 Acting I (3 hours)

This introductory acting course focuses on building physical, vocal, intellectual, and intuitive foundations for actors. Through discovery exercises, students increase their awareness of the fundamentals of contemporary acting and apply these concepts to monologue and scene work.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

THTRE 1310 Acting II (3 hours)

This intermediate acting course reinforces the fundamental skills acquired in Script Analysis and Acting I, and builds upon them in order to emphasize technique and truth in acting. Using elements from comtemporary acting theorists (Meisner, LeCoq, Alder, etc.) students investigate contemporary dramatic texts. The process focuses on freeing the performer's instrument while concentrating on the actor's intent.Prerequisite(s): THTRE 1020 Script Analysis and THTRE 1300 Acting I.

THTRE 1400 Stagecraft (3 hours)

A course introducing students to all technical aspects of theatre production including scenery, properties, lighting, sound, makeup, and costuming. Particular emphasis is placed on practical knowledge of scenery, property construction techniques, and the materials used. Students must participate in a laboratory theatre experience.
(Normally offered each spring semester.)

THTRE 1410 Costume Construction (3 hours)

The introductory course in costuming for the theatre. It presents the uses of fabrics, textures, colors, plastics, and other materials as well as developing the sewing techniques needed for the theatre.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

THTRE 2000 Play Reading (1 hour)

Play reading is a course that focuses on the reading, discussion, and interpretation of dramatic texts. Its aim is to provide a concentrated study of both content and form of selected texts in an effort to broaden knowledge of dramatic techniques genre, and strategies for interpretation. Dramatic texts will vary each semester with the goal that students will gain knowledge of a large quantity of plays during a four-year period. This course may be repeated for credit up to eight times for Theatre Arts majors and up to three times for Theatre Arts minors.

THTRE 2010 Dramatic Literature: Pulitzer Prize (2 hours)

The Pulitizer Prizes are regarded as one of the most prestigious awards that a writer or composer can win. The Pulitzer Prize in Drama is awarded "for a distinguished play by an American author, preferably original in its source, and dealing with American life". Given the emphases on American authorship and American life, this speaking-instructive dramatic literature course examines pulitzer Prize winning plays such as Angels in America, The Kentucky Cycle, Topdog/Underdog, Disgraced and others to investigate questions about the features of a democracy and what it means to be a citizen of a democracy. The plays also serve as the basis for a series of oral presentations. The course also asks: To what extent is the representation of democratic principles and ideas a contributing factor in what plays win the Pulitzer Prize in Drama.

THTRE 2010 Dramatic Literature: Pulitzer Prize (2 hours)

The Pulitizer Prizes are regarded as one of the most prestigious awards that a writer or composer can win. The Pulitzer Prize in Drama is awarded "for a distinguished play by an American author, preferably original in its source, and dealing with American life". Given the emphases on American authorship and American life, this speaking-instructive dramatic literature course examines pulitzer Prize winning plays such as Angels in America, The Kentucky Cycle, Topdog/Underdog, Disgraced and others to investigate questions about the features of a democracy and what it means to be a citizen of a democracy. The plays also serve as the basis for a series of oral presentations. The course also asks: To what extent is the representation of democratic principles and ideas a contributing factor in what plays win the Pulitzer Prize in Drama.

THTRE 2020 Dramatic Literature: Tony Awards (2 hours)

Dating from 1947, the American Theatre Wing's Tony Awards have ben presented annually to honor excellence in commercial theatre on Broadway. It is a high honor for a writer or composer to win the award for Best Play or Best Musical, and usually results in financial and career gains. This speaking instructive dramatic literature course examines this U.S. awards tradition, considering how the procedural structures incorporate elements of democratic ideals and principles. Students will read examples of Tony Award winning plays and musicals in order to consider how democratic ideals are represented in those plays and will consider whether such representation is contributing factor in what works with the awards. The plays also serve as the basis for a series of oral presentations.

THTRE 2030 Dramatic Literature: American Comedy (2 hours)

Is nurturing the subversive comic impluse in expression vital to a democracy? This speaking-instructive dramatic literature coures examines the comic tradition in U.S. dramatic writing, focusing primarily on how democratic principles and ideals have been represented. One primary topic to be considered involves the ways that comic plays, whether overtly or subversively, can serve as a contributing factor to stimulate political change in a democracy. A range of plays from early national to contempory will be read and discuseed to draw conclusions about features of a democracy and what it means to be a citizen of a democracy. The plays will also serve as the basis for oral presentations.

THTRE 2040 Dramatic Literature: Families (2 hours)

This speaking-instructive dramatic literature course examines how definitions and concepts of family have been represented in dramatic literary works. By reading, discussing, reflecting in writing and making oral presentations about a variety of dramatic works drawn from diverse perspectives students will consider how changes in cultural and institutional environments impact defintions of family and how concepts of family are interconnected with other with other social institutions.

THTRE 2050 Dramatic Literature: Gender and Sexuality (2 hours)

This speaking-instructive dramatic literature class examines how varieties of feminisms and cultural diversity have been represented in dramatic literary works. By reading, discussion, reflecting in writing and making oral presentations about a variety of dramatic works drawn from diverse perspectives students will utilize recent scholarship in gender and seuality studies to analyze how assumptions about gender and/or sexualities have contributed to inequalities, choices, biases, oppression and/or empowerment in the culture and time periods in which the plays were written and produced.

THTRE 2060 Dramatic Literature: Banned and Censored (2 hours)

Why does censorship occur in democracies that champion freedom of expression as an ideal? What are the tipping points that trigger the impluse to ban and/or censor? Does censorship or the threat of censorship present an obstacle to full participation of writers and readers in a democracy? Students seek the answers to these and other questions in this speaking-instructive dramatic literature course by looking at example of dramatic works that have been banned or censored in democratic nations. The selected texts will also serve as the basis for a series of oral presentations and will be utilized to discuss how the deinfining features of a democracy and the meaning of what it means to be a citizen in a democracy are represented in dramatic texts, as well as the broader question of how the arts shape how a nation defines itself as a democracy.

THTRE 2110 Masterpieces of Dramatic Literature (3 hours)

Masterpieces of Dramatic Literature is an introductory course designed to provide a historical perspective on the literary record of human interactions with nature, the supernatural, and other humans. Utilizing dramatic texts selected from a range of cultures, genres, and time periods (including core readings from Greek or Roman classical literature, the Bible, Shakespeare, non-Western literature, literature by women, and literature by writers of color), students will devise strategies for reading, discussing, and writing about dramatic literature. These strategies will include consideration of biographical materials, cultural contexts and analysis of the functions of drama and theatre, in particular historical and geographical circumstances. Students will also be asked to consider how texts come to be valued as masterpieces, and the politics involved in such valuation.

THTRE 2300 Acting III (3 hours)

This is an advanced course in acting that incorporates the technique and truth in acting skills from Acting II and aims to provide an intensive study of character analysis and presentation skills. Performance texts for class activities and exercises will be drawn primarily from turn-of-the-century playwrights such as Ibsen, Shaw, and Chekhov. Attention is also to be given to the process of preparing professional auditions. This course may be repeated once for credit.Prerequisite(s): THTRE 1020 Script Analysis, THTRE 1300 Acting I, and THTRE 1310 Acting II.
(Normally offered on even fall semesters.)

THTRE 2340 Voice I (3 hours)

A course designed to assist the student in improving control and use of the voice for speaking. Students participate in individualized and group exercises. The course also serves as an introduction to the variations in speech sounds, rhythms, and intonational patterns that characterize selected dialects of spoken English. Students utilize the International Phonetic Alphabet to transcribe cuttings from selected plays into the sounds of appropriate dialects and then reproduce the sounds vocally. Recordings of dialects are utilized for ear training.

THTRE 2400 Movement for the Actor (3 hours)

Movement for the Actor will deal with techniques for freeing the actor's body, external character development, awareness of physical habits, the actor's physical health, and listening to body language. Physical assessment coupled with habit modification and intellectual choice of body movement will place the actor in a more "neutral" zone and allow her/him to play more varied roles on stage and off. Improvisation, exercise, music/movement, and elements of Alexander Technique will be explored. May be repeated for credit up to 6 times for Theatre Arts majors and up to 3 times for Theatre Arts minors.

THTRE 2410 Stage Combat (3 hours)

This is a general introductory course in Stage Combat. Students will learn the basics in Combat Safety, Unarmed Combat, Small Sword, Rapier, Rapier and Dagger, Broadsword and Sword and Shield.

This is an introductory course in the theory and practice of scenography for the theatre. The primary goal of this class is to provide access to terms, concepts, and design principle applications for theatrical scenery, costume, and lighting design.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

This is an advanced scene study course that builds upon the skills gained in Acting II and III, and trains students to handle specific acting challenges. Special attention is given to listening and connecting, and playing to win using action-based objectives. Scenes are taken from American post-war classics, the 1960s-70s avant-garde, and contemporary dramatic literature. This course may be repeated once for credit.Prerequisite(s): THTRE 1020 Script Analysis, THTRE 1300 Acting I, THTRE 1310 Acting II, and THTRE 2300 Acting III or permission of instructor.
(Normally offered on odd spring semesters.)

THTRE 3330 Dialects (3 hours)

Dialects is a course that focuses on the mastery of vocal techniques required for utilizing stage dialects in performance. The course will offer a practical approach to learning dialects that will be believable and accurate. We will explore a process for creating a dialect role, from pre-production script analysis and dialect acquisition, through the rehearsal period and run of the texts. Each student will prepare and present a series of oral and written dialect projects culminating in an oral examination.

THTRE 3340 Voice II (3 hours)

Advanced Voice is a course that focuses on the mastery and reinforcement of vocal techniques learned in THTRE 2340 Voice I. Students will review the International Phonetic Alphabet and utilize principles in the transcription of more advanced texts, including classical texts. In addition students will learn advanced vocal techniques as well as strategies for sustained vocal health. Each student will prepare and present a series of oral and written vocal technique projects culminating in an oral examination.Prerequisite(s): THTRE 2340 Voice I or permission of the instructor.

THTRE 3350 Playing Shakespeare (3 hours)

Playing Shakespeare is an intermediate level acting class focusing on the technique necessary to perform classical texts. We will focus on expanding the abilities of the actor's instrument. Truthfulness will be the ultimate goal balanced by the requirements of the text. Students will be introduced to the guidelines and techniques for acting dramatic verse. Students learn period movement and style appropriate for the Elizabethan and Jacobean era. Students also explore the use of voice, speech, tone, rhythm and pitch as part of character revelation. Playing Shakespeare may be repeated once for credit.

A survey of theatre arts from ancient Greece through the 19th century. It includes sections on classic, medieval, Renaissance, Restoration, 18th century, and 19th century drama and theatre practice.Prerequisite(s): THTRE 1010 Theatre Appreciation or THTRE 1020 Script Analysis.
(Normally offered on even fall semesters.)

THTRE 3810 World Theatre History II (3 hours)

A survey of theatre arts from the advent of realism to contemporary theatre. Special emphasis will be given to nonrealistic theatre movements and their influence on playwriting, directing, acting, and design.Prerequisite(s): THTRE 1010 Theatre Appreciation or THTRE 1020 Script Analysis.
(Normally offered on odd fall semesters.)

THTRE 3820 U.S. Theatre/U.S. Culture (3 hours)

U.S. Theatre/U.S. Culture is a survey course providing a historical perspective on the culture of the U.S. through the study of its theatre from the colonial period to the present. This course can be used to satisfy a core requirement for the BFA and BA degrees in Theatre.Prerequisite(s): THTRE 3800 World Theatre History I or permission of instructor.
(Normally offered odd spring semesters.)

THTRE 4300 Acting: Director‘s Perspective (3 hours)

This is an advanced acting course that builds upon the skills gained in previous acting and directing classes. It trains students to handle specific acting challenges presented to them from the instructor from a director's perspective. Recommended for students completing the B.F.A. degree in theatre with an emphasis in acting.Prerequisite(s): THTRE 1020 Script Analysis, THTRE 1300 Acting I, THTRE 1310 Acting II, and THTRE 2300 Acting III.
(Normally offered each spring semester. )

THTRE 4450 Auditioning (3 hours)

This advanced acting course reinforces the fundamental skills acquired in previous Acting class and builds upon them in order to develop techniques for performance auditions. Specifically, the choice and preparation of material will be discovered.Prerequisite(s): THTRE 1300 Acting I, THTRE 1310 Acting II, and THTRE 2300 Acting III or permission of instructor.
(Normally offered each fall semester.)

THTRE 4480 Professional Preparation for Theatre (3 hours)

A course for students preparing for careers in theatre. Projects will include resume and portfolio preparation, auditioning, and interviewing techniques, introduction to internships, apprenticeships, and graduate study.

THTRE 4970 Internship (1-8 hours)

On-the-job training for theatre arts majors and minors in theatre-related organizations. Students will arrange for their positions according to departmental guidelines, and each internship will be designed to the satisfaction of the sponsor, faculty coordinator, and student. Students may repeat the course and earn a maximum of 6 hours credit.
Pass/Fail only.Prerequisite(s): Permission of the department chair.

THTRE 4990 Senior Theatre Project (1-3 hours)

The senior theatre project is done under the immediate supervision of a theatre faculty or teaching-staff member in one of these areas: costumes, scenery, lights, properties, makeup, acting, stage management, or directing. The student and the diretor of the theatre must first determine the feasibility of the proposed project for a full-length play (i.e., at least 90 minutes playing time) and select a theatre faculty/teaching-staff member supervisor. This planning process must be completed no later than May 1 of the junior year. The student will be responsible for doing the research, designing the project and seeing it to completion. The supervisor will serve as a consultant throughout the project, will grade the project, and will arrange for the student to present a description of his or her accomplishment to interested persons. See the director of the theatre for further guidelines and procedures.Prerequisite(s): Permission of the department chair.

The online version of the Nebraska Wesleyan University catalog supersedes any printed catalog or PDF version as the official catalog of NWU. NWU reserves the right to make changes in the regulations and offerings announced in this official online version, as circumstances require. It is expected that the only changes will be the correction of errors and the inclusion of new courses and programs approved during the academic year.